This morning the Lord put a song in my heart by Chris Tomlin. It’s a song I used to sing to my son at bedtime during his early elementary years. Mainly because I remember being his age and carrying big feelings, that for various reasons, my parents were unaware of. I would remember being in my bed alone at night thinking about God and wondering if he saw me. Many times feeling fear and loneliness. Fast forward to having a child of my own and wanting to instill in him the understanding of a Father’s Love from our heavenly father. Here are the lyrics and video link if you’d like to play it here:
Oh, I’ve heard a thousand stories of what they think You’re like
But I’ve heard the tender whisper of love in the dead of night
And You tell me that You’re pleased and that I’m never aloneYou’re a good, good Father
It’s who You are, it’s who You are, it’s who You are
And I’m loved by You
It’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I amOh, and I’ve seen many searching for answers far and wide
But I know we’re all searching for answers only You provide
‘Cause You know just what we need before we say a wordYou’re a good, good Father
It’s who You are, it’s who You are, it’s who You are
And I’m loved by You
It’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I amBecause You are perfect in all of Your ways
You are perfect in all of Your ways
You are perfect in all of Your ways to us
You are perfect in all of Your ways
Oh, You’re perfect in all of Your ways
You are perfect in all of Your ways to usOh, it’s love so undeniable
I, I can hardly speak
Peace so unexplainable
I, I can hardly think
As You call me deeper still
As You call me deeper still
As You call me deeper still into love, love, loveYou’re a good, good Father
It’s who You are, it’s who You are, it’s who You are
And I’m loved by You
It’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I amAnd You’re a good, good Father
It’s who You are, it’s who You are, it’s who You are
And I’m loved by You
It’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I amYou’re a good, good Father
It’s who You are, it’s who You are, it’s who You are
And I’m loved by You
It’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am
(You’re a good, good Father)You are perfect in all of Your ways (it’s who You are, it’s who You are, it’s who You are)
(And I’m loved by You)
You are perfect in all of Your ways (it’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am)
The Lord spoke a verse to me from James 1, verse 17 (PT). It goes, “Every gift God gives us is good and perfect, streaming down from the Father of Lights, who shines from the heavens with no hidden shadows or darkness, and there is no subject to change.”
He gave me this word for someone:
“Good fathers only give good things, yet the enemy has convinced some that I don’t love them- because of the circumstances in their life. I am the God of Choice. I created you and love you with an everlasting love, but I will not force you to choose me, love me, or worship me. I don’t make robots. I make human beings. Humans that would think on their own, act on their own. Humans who would choose me back. Your circumstances are a result of your choices, not mine. There’s still time to turn the boat around. Some things you will have to walk through, but I am here to journey with you if you will let me into your life. You will see the miracles of a Romans 8:28 life where I will even work this together for your good. Again, I am your good, good father, and I LOVE YOU.”
There’s Still Time To Turn The Boat Around
I asked God, “why did you use that expression?” and he led me to a definition at Wordsense.eu which explains that turning the boat around means “making a major change in behavior or strategy.” There are those of you who need to turn the boat of your life around, and you need the wind of the holy spirit to redirect your sails in a direction that will prosper you and not harm you.
A Little More About James, Chapter 1
The writer of the book of James was the actual brother of Jesus and he wrote this letter after Stephen was martyred for his faith in Jesus. In it, he is encouraging and instructing new believers on gaining wisdom, spiritual maturity, faith, and grit. Relating to the word from the Lord, I want to hone in on verses 13-16 which state,
“When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. Don’t be deceived, dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.“
How powerful is it that, through a new birth (a spiritual birth) in Jesus who is the Word of God, that we become the first fruits or top ten percent of his creation!? If you’ve given your heart to Jesus, you’re in God’s top 10%, for his use and his glory!
Secondly, God’s word today says that, based on the word given to me, your present circumstances are a result of your choices. I need to say that God has not tempted you into the situation you are currently in. He’s not testing you there either. You might be in a furnace of affliction right now or dealing with some really heavy things. I am reminded of something I heard growing up: The further you move away from God, he will use circumstances and your choices to get your attention. At first it starts as a mist or drizzle, progressing to a steady rain. Then if you continue to move in rebellion and sin, your life becomes like a thunderstorm, a tornado, even a hurricane. Till you feel as though you’re drowning. But in this case, it’s like drowning when there’s a life preserver floating in the water next to you. Is pride preventing you from grabbing your life preserver, a.k.a. Jesus?
But God says, “there’s still time to turn the boat around.” There’s still time to make major changes. The first starts with recognizing that you are not God. The second starts with going to God in repentance, asking for forgiveness, so that you can be restored to a right relationship with him. Then, you’ve got to let go of controlling your boat. Give him the wheel. Seriously. Watch the circumstances slowly change from sinking to swimming to winning the race of life.
I Want To Leave You With Two Verses
Romans 8:28 (NIV) God says, ” And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:31 (NIV) What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all- how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any change against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.
Romans 8 goes on to state that Jesus is at the right hand of God RIGHT NOW interceding for YOU. Nothing- no circumstances, misery, pain, sin, bankruptcy, abortion, drugs, you name it, NOTHING will separate you from the love of Jesus Christ. I pray that you’ll choose your good, good father today, and watch him turn your boat around.
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